Posted - 02/10/2008 : 21:58:40 For those of you that stopped watching Penguins games now that Crosby is out (or stopped watching Penguins games because you don't want to hear about Crosby whether he's hurt or not, you are missing out on another great talent in Evgeni Malkin. He has completely taken control in Crosby's absence and now has a very serious chance of winning the Art Ross Trophy. If you aren't impressed with his performance you haven't been watching him. Today: 3 assists and a goal, yesterday 2 goals. Oh, and the Pens are now in first place with Crosby out. At this rate, keep him out a bit longer until he is completely healthy. And then let the 2 of them kick @ss and take names in the playoffs. So excited about the other superstar in Pittsburgh!!!!

15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)

slozo

Posted - 02/22/2008 : 11:33:02 Alex - your comment "he just has more stats and reputation backing him up" is . . . well, half right. Crosby has the reputation as the guy who makes "everyone better" though, not Malkin. Remember the guys even posting here about how selfish he is?Let's look at Malone with Crosby, and without:

Malone with Crosby: 41games - 10 goals, 8 assists, +6 (a third liner playing with supposedly the best in the game)

See the difference?Now pure stats aside, there is chemistry between some players and between others there isn't - so the stats don't tell the whole story. But these are very strong stats, and a great indicator.

Those guys you mentioned who have been "eusting their asses"?Sykora with Crosby in lineup:41 games - 13 goals, 14 assists, 27 pts. (13 ppp's)(not bad stats . . . for a "second liner" used on the power play)

Seeing a pattern of total domination yet? ok, final one, since apparently I love researching this so much:Percentage of Pittsburgh goals Malkin is credited with a goal/assist:

(you might want to sit down for a second)

30 of 49 goals - a whopping 61%(and he scored 25% of the goals)'nuff said.

"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug

Alex

Posted - 02/22/2008 : 06:57:02

quote:Originally posted by PuckNuts

So many people want to see teams built through the draft. Pittsburgh has done that, and soon they are going to be between a rock, and a hard spot. All the young players are playing well as Malkin is, what do the Penguins do with all this soon to be high priced talent???

This, in my opinion, is the fault in the system known as the salary cap. I think teams should not able to buy talent, no siree. But when a team drafts young stars as a compensation for years of bad luck, and has to get rid of them before they even reach mid twenties, it's a big problem. Pittsburgh deserves to keep Sidney, Malkin, Letang, Staal, Armstrong, Christensen, Fleury... and they might not. Whereas a team like their arch rival Philly is just buying talent every year and it's ok.

There should be a way to work around this problem. We missed a whole year of hockey, they could at least have gotten the formula right!

Habs get number 25 this year

Alex

Posted - 02/22/2008 : 06:54:19

quote:Originally posted by slozo

Yeah, I have to say, Malkin has sidled up besides Ovechkin as story of the year. Ovechkin can already clear cupboard space for his Rocket Richard Trophy, and he's had a phenomenal year - especially if he sneaks Washington in the playoffs.

But Malkin - he has a whole other situation to deal with - the Crosby media siren. And you never heard any complaints, any word of dissent from Malkin about it. And despite idiots relegating him to an undeserved "second-tier star status", he has single-handedly pulled the team together as only a real leader can. I think, for instance, Malone is playing better with Malkin than with Crosby. Big props to Malkin, he is really impressing me.

Could be a strange dynamic when Crosby returns, though, as someone implied. We'll see.

It's the year of the Russian, apparently.

"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug

Sinle handedly eh? How about Ty Conklin, Petr Sykora, Kris Letang and all the other guys who fall beneath the radar that have been busting their asses to keep the team where they are now! Sure, without Malkin they for sure would not be where they are. But without many of their other guys, they wouldn't be either. Malkin just has more stats and reputation backing him up.

Habs get number 25 this year

PuckNuts

Posted - 02/22/2008 : 06:34:39 So many people want to see teams built through the draft. Pittsburgh has done that, and soon they are going to be between a rock, and a hard spot. All the young players are playing well as Malkin is, what do the Penguins do with all this soon to be high priced talent???

I never thought that Malkin was really going to be one of the best players. I thought that he would have a good career, but not near the top. Well this season has proved me wrong....

Posted - 02/22/2008 : 06:34:34 Yeah, I have to say, Malkin has sidled up besides Ovechkin as story of the year. Ovechkin can already clear cupboard space for his Rocket Richard Trophy, and he's had a phenomenal year - especially if he sneaks Washington in the playoffs.

But Malkin - he has a whole other situation to deal with - the Crosby media siren. And you never heard any complaints, any word of dissent from Malkin about it. And despite idiots relegating him to an undeserved "second-tier star status", he has single-handedly pulled the team together as only a real leader can. I think, for instance, Malone is playing better with Malkin than with Crosby. Big props to Malkin, he is really impressing me.

Could be a strange dynamic when Crosby returns, though, as someone implied. We'll see.

It's the year of the Russian, apparently.

"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug

Alex

Posted - 02/22/2008 : 05:58:52 Malkin is leading the league in scoring! Who would have thought! Anyone here think he can win it? Lots of names have topped the list this year, including Zetterberg, Ovie, Crosby, Vinny, Alfie and others... is the latest addition the one to stay there? Just think, it could be a Jagr-Mario 1-2 punch for Steel Town all over again!

Habs get number 25 this year

Guest8815

Posted - 02/21/2008 : 20:45:09 Get this...42nd overall... I had though he was picked but than when reviewing the teams had realized he wasn't biggest steal in my life, well I guess hockey pool life.

pensfan17

Posted - 02/21/2008 : 20:27:29

quote:Originally posted by Guest4735

Since malkin has been playing so well at his natural position center, what will happen when crosby comes back, will they move malkin back to the wing have them as their two top line centers respectively, if they had another good scored i could see two lines happen, but not right now, any thoughts?

Crosby will probably play center because Malkin is not that good at faceoffs( only 40.4%). Crosby was 51.3%.

Guest4735

Posted - 02/21/2008 : 17:28:54 Since malkin has been playing so well at his natural position center, what will happen when crosby comes back, will they move malkin back to the wing have them as their two top line centers respectively, if they had another good scored i could see two lines happen, but not right now, any thoughts?

slozo

Posted - 02/12/2008 : 13:28:22 Stepping up is an understatement - he has fully taken over leadership. Although it's still early perhaps, the record sans Crosby:6 wins, 2 losses, 2OTL. And they've moved into first.

Doesn't sound too selfish to me, guest 4912!

btw - Did you think that, perhaps, Malkin smashed his stick when he missed the net because that meant a faceoff in their zone? Maybe he was angry over his bad decision that cost a chance at tying it up, or angry because he missed a relatively easy shot in that regard? Whatever game you are talking about, how could the win be "in the bag" if they pulled their goalie ?

"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug

Guest4912

Posted - 02/12/2008 : 13:09:01 I absolutely despise that stupid Russian idiot. Malkin is a great player, dont get me wrong. but comparing him to the likes of Sidney and Ovie. No way. Hes too selfish and point oriented to compare to the generosity and leadership of Sidney Crosby. (smashed stick when missed open net from half) when he already had four points that night. I know that he likes to score but the win was in the bag and all he was doing was trying to show that he is better without Crosby.

I HATE MALKIN

irvine

Posted - 02/12/2008 : 07:49:36 I have been a Malkin fan since he came to the NHL. Perhaps as much so as a Crosby fan. Maybe Crosby slightly more, due to being Canadian. But, not by much.

Infact, I managed to get an autographed Malkin jersey (Pens jersey,) last season. Which, my brother is now the proud owner of. :/

Irvine

Beans15

Posted - 02/11/2008 : 17:55:34 I think this might make a tough decision for the Pens. I am not sure if they can have a contender with both Malkin and Crosby. Malkin will be an RFA at the end of next season. Scary thing is that after next season, there are only 4 players on the current Pens roster under contract.

Malkin might be looking for huge money, and it is possible that Crosby and Malkin's salaries combined could be $17+ million. That's a lot for 2 players. Might think about moving Malkin for a couple or three quality players???

It will be interesting.

Leafsfan_94

Posted - 02/11/2008 : 16:24:25 i think malkin has done a great job taking over crosby's roll since hes been injured. malkin can do evrything theres a reason he was rookie of the year.

>>>Go Leafs Go<<<Leafsfan_94

MarkhamMax

Posted - 02/10/2008 : 23:05:31 I had him as my #2 overall pick the first year he played. A lot of my pool buddies were yelping "who?" when I picked him. I knew he was something special. He hasn't disappointed. Well except for the fact that the secret was out this year and he got snapped up before I could pick him again.